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L*O*N*E



This photo was taken by my friend, Greg Beaudoin, on his trip across the Namib desert. I have obtained his permission to share a few of his pictures on my blog because I think they are striking photos and I would have taken them myself, had I been there (at least I hope I would have).

I need people. Dean has been working a lot this past week and weekend so I have spent a fair bit of time alone. I don't mind that, usually, but I realise that I need other people to motivate me, to challenge me, to spark ideas and conversations and laughter and love, and to generally be a productive person. What good are wisdom and knowledge and kindness and generosity and beauty and faithfulness (all those things I try to cultivate in my life) if there are no people to share these things with or learn them from? But on the other hand, if I cannot stand by myself when I need to, be strong when everyone around me is heading in the wrong direction, or make it through a dry, dusty and barren spot in my life, then I have little depth. I have observed that these profound parts of my character are most often birthed in solitude, but they are matured in the presence of others.

Let me not waste the often short window of seeding time (spoken from experience on a Manitoba farm). Let me seek out the ones who encourage my maturing and growing process. Let me not be always longing for the other (to be with someone when I am alone, or to be alone when I am with people) but instead, learn contentment and patience in all seasons.

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Random fact: My cat Jazz likes Old Dutch Crunch Mesquite BBQ potato chips and has spent most of the time while I was writing this trying to wrestle them out of my hand as I write and have a light snack.

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